The madness could finally be over, as Facebook has announced it will ban private guns sales on its site following pressure from President Barack Obama for stricter firearms control.
The ban will also apply to Instagram and will stop the networks being used to conduct gun sales between private individuals, reports the Telegraph.
The new rule was brought in after Obama bypassed the U.S. congress to bring in tougher background checks for gun ownership following a series of deadly mass shootings.
The majority of people have welcomed the new controls:
<<BREAKING>>
You spoke, Facebook listened.
Facebook just BLOCKED unlicensed gun sales on its platforms! pic.twitter.com/JfKo2lHyKX
— Everytown (@Everytown) January 29, 2016
https://twitter.com/BluesboyEric/status/693214914203119616
@facebook why do you host members-only groups that exist solely to facilitate private firearms sales? @MomsDemand https://t.co/zyzeaXcwQL
— Tricia (@212degreesnow) January 29, 2016
The changes were announced by President Obama in an emotional speech at the White House, and pro-gun control groups have raised the pressure on Facebook to stop the posts offering weapons for sale.
NEW AK ARRIVALS!!WASR-10 – $754.32 OTDC39V2 MAGPUL MOE – $968.91 OTDARSENAL SAM7-UF – $1396.00 OTDARSENAL SAM7R-61 – $1445.45 OTD
Posted by Bakersfield Ammo & Gun Sales on Friday, January 29, 2016
Facebook’s head of product policy, Monika Bickert said:
We are continuing to develop, test and launch new products to make the experience even better for people and are updating our regulated goods policies to reflect this evolution.
Predictably, not everyone was happy about the tightening of controls:
https://twitter.com/OBAMA_GAMES/status/693070842247380992
@Everytown Zuckerberg is already the pawn of the liberals
— Libertarian=freedom (@IsLibertarian) January 30, 2016
@Everytown I hope gangbangers with their illegal guns find the homes of every @Everytown member.
— Weekend Warrior (@tswwpodcast) January 30, 2016
Facebook has 1.59 billion monthly users and the ban would only apply to posts relating to ‘peer-to-peer’ sales, not to those taking place in stores or from licensed on-line dealers.
This means that licensed firearm retailers will still be able to post about their goods and services on Facebook but will have to complete sales transactions off Facebook.
